Removable pouring spout



Feb. 25, 1964 l P. 1.. LEE ETAL 3,122,288

REMOVABLEPOURING SPOUT Filed Jan. 31, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORJ. 727/2 4. A.

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Feb. 25, 1964 P. L. LEE ETAL 3,122,288

REMOVABLE POURING SPOUT Filed Jan. 31, 1962 2 sheets sheet 2 I INVENTOKS. 727/76 4. ea

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Unite States Patent f 3,122,288 REMOVABLE POURING SPGUT Phillip L. Lee, 4069 Dawson, Warren, Mich, and Walter J. S. Lee, Rochester, Mich; said Walter J. S. Lee assignor to said Phillip L. Lee

Filed Jan. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 170,043 12 Claims. (Cl. 222-545) This invention relates to pouring spouts and more particularly to a removable pouring spout for use with containers holding soap powder or other similarly pourable type of commodity.

While the subject invention is depicted and described for use with the conventional cardboard soap container or box, it is to be understood that it can be used equally well in other related applications. Soap boxes of conventional construction are provided with a perforated line or weakened portion at one edge or corner of the box whereby that portion of the box can be pushed inwardly to expose thereby an aperture through which the contents of the box can be poured. Once the aperture is formed therein, however, there are no means whereby this aperture can be conveniently closed. Thus, if the box is accidently tipped over the contents are free to pour out; also the aperture provided usually cannot adequately guide the flow of the contents during pouring hence resulting in a loss of contents through spillage from the sides, etc. of the aperture. It is an object of this invention to provide a removable pouring spout for use with opened containers whereby the contents are prevented from flowing therefrom in the event of the box being tipped over and whereby the flow of the contents is directed such as to eliminate the spillage during pouring.

As previously mentioned, conventional containers are provided with perforations on one side whereby an aperture can be formed. It is an object of this invention then to provide a removable pouring spout which is specifically adapted to fit within such an aperture.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of a spout embodying the features of this invention as applied to a container, only partially shown;

FIGURE 2 is a view of the pouring spout in FIGURE 1 and the portion of the container shown therein as viewed substantially along the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the pouring spout and contai .er of FIGURE 1 taken substantially along the line 33 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to that of FIGURE 3 showing the lid of the pouring spout in an opened position;

FIGURE 5 is a pictorial view of a modified pouring spout shown in conjunction with a container, only partially shown;

FIGURE 6 is a view of the pouring spout and container of FIGURE 5 taken substantially in the direction of the arrow 6 in FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view of the pouring spout and container of FIGURE 5 taken substantially along the 77 of FIGURE 6.

Looking now to FIGURE 1, a removable pouring spout, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown mounted to a conventionally hexahedrally shaped closed container 12 which is constructed generally of a stilf material such as cardboard or the like. A front face portion 14 of the container 12 in one type of conventional soap box construction has formed near a top portion 16 a plurality of perforations wherebya section 15 of the face 14 which 3,122,238 Patented Feb. 25, 1964 is joined to the top 16 can be bent or pivoted inwardly toward the inside of the container 12 along the juncture between that section 15 and the top 16 to form thereby an aperture 18. Thus the aperture 18 is defined at the top by the folded junction of the section 15 and on the bottom by the shape of the perforated line, which in this case is arcuate and substantially as shown in FIGURE 2.

The pouring spout 10 has a shape generally defined by three mutually perpendicular planes and is provided with a generally planar front face segment 20 (FIGURE 2) which is of a shape similar to that of aperture 18 but substantially greater in area whereby the aperture 18 is completely covered. The upper edge of the front segment 20 is connected to a generally planer top segment 22 which extends rearwardly at right angles from the front segment 20 and is further interconnected thereto by a planar side segment 24 connected substantially at right angles to one edge of front segment 20 and one edge of top segment 22 to define thereby a corner 25 at one side of the pouring spout 10.

In assembly to the box 12, the top segment 22 is placed in overlaying contact with the top portion 16 of the box 12 while the front face segment 20 is placed in overlaying contact with front portion 14 of the box 12 such as to completely cover the aperture 18. The corner 25 is placed in contact with the corresponding corner of the box 12, i.e. with side segment 24 in overlaying contact with a side portion 27 of the container 12. An aperture or opening 26 is provided in the front segment 24 for a purpose to be described.

Extending rearwardly of the front segment 24 and hence interiorly of the box 12 is a rib member 28 having an outer contour similar to that of the aperture 18 in the box 12. The rib member 28 has a generally flat upper rib portion 30 which is substantially parallel to the upper segment 22 and is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the layers of cardboard of the container disposed therebetween. The space between the upper rib portion 30 and the upper segment 22 is selected to provide some clamping action to hold the pouring spout 10 to the box 12. The natural tendency of the inwardly folded section 15 to spring toward its original location enhances this clamping action. In order to further enhance the clamping action between the upper rib portion 30 and the upper segment 22, the upper segment 22 has formed thereon a downwardly extending rib 33 disposed at its rearward extremity whereby the projected distance between the upper rib portion 30 and the upper segment 22 is reduced, hence, providing for compression of the layers of material of the container 12 located therebetween.

The upper rib portion 30 is connected to a lower ar cuate rib portion 32 which is of a contour approximating that of the perforated line defining a portion of the opening 18. Disposed at the bottom of the curved rib portion 32 is an axially rearwardly extending projection 34 which extends downwardly a distance beyond the curved edge of the aperture 18 and is spaced from the front segment 20 a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the container 12 in that area. Thus upon securing the pouring spout 10 to the container 12 a looking or clamping action is provided at the bottom of the pouring spout 10 via projection 34 and the front segment 20; at the same time the pouring spout 10 is clamped to the container 12 at its upper side via the clamping action between the top segment 22 and rib 32 and the upper rib portion 30.

The aperture 26 in the front segment 20 is defined within the internal periphery of the rib member 28 and is in communication with a generally tubularly shaped, hollow spout portion 36 which circumscribes the aperture 26 and extends upwardly and outwardly from the front segment 20 and terminates at a point which is above the lower extremity of the aperture 18 in the container 12 and above the lowest point of the aperture 26 in the front segment 29. A cap 38, having a rearwardly extending portion with an aperture t extending therethrough is pivotally secured to the upper segment 22 of the pouring spout via a hinge assembly 40 which comprises a pair of upwardly extending ears 42 and a pin member 44 which extends through the ears 42 and through the aperture 59 in cap 38. The cap 38 is provided with a cam portion 48 which is disposed rearwardly of the aperture 50 such that upon pivoting the cap 33 away from the opening f the spout portion 36 (in a direction to assume a position as shown in FIGURE 4) the cam portion 48 will interfere with the upper surface portion of the hinge assembly 40; this interference provides frictional means to positively maintain the cap 38 in the open position to thereby facilitate pouring the contents out from the container 12. The inside of the cap 38 is provided with a recess 46 having a configuration substantially similar or congruent to that of the terminus of the pouring spout portion 36 such as to provide a positive means of closing and sealing the spout portion 36. By providing for a slight interference fit between the structure defining the recess 46 and the terminus of the tubular spout portion 36 the cap 38-can be more positively maintained onto the spout portion 36 such that it will not open in the event the container 12 is tipped or knocked over.

In the embodiment as shown and described above, the pouring spout It) can be made of wood, plastic or some other such suitable material. Note that the pouring spout 10 is positively clamped to the container 12 such that it cannot fall off accidently and that the cap 38 is positively held onto the spout portion 36 such that it cannot open accidently. Likewise note that the cap 38 can be maintained in an open position, as shown in FIGURE 4, to facilitate pouring. Upon emptying the contents of the box 12, the pouring spout assembly can be removed therefrom and applied to another similar container.

A modification of the pouring spout as described above is shown in FIGURES 5 through 7. Looking now to FIGURE 5, a removable pouring spout 10' is shown mounted to a conventionally shaped container 12' having a front face portion 14' which has formed in it near a top portion 16' a plurality of perforations diagonally along one corner of the container 12' whereby a section 15' of the face 14 can be bent or pivoted inwardly toward the inside of the container 12 along the juncture between that section 15' and the top 16 to form thereby a substantially triangularly shaped aperture 18.

The pouring spout 10' is provided with a generally planar front face segment 20' which is of a shape similar to that of the aperture 18' but substantially greater in area whereby the aperture 18' is covered. The upper edge of the front segment 20' is connected to a generally planar top segment 22' which extends rearwardly at right angles from the front segmentZt) and is further interconnected thereto by a planar side segment 24' connected substantially at right angles to one edge of the front segment 20' and one edge of the top segment 22' to define thereby a corner 25' at one side of the pouring spout 10.

In assembly to the box or container 12', the top segment 22' is placed in overlaying contact or engagement with the top portion 16' of the container 12 while the front face segment 20 is placed in overlaying contact with the front portion 14' such as to completely cover the aperture 18. The corner 25' is placed in contact with the corresponding corner of the box 12'. An opening 26 is provided in the front segment 24.

Extending rearwardly of the front segment 24' and hence interiorly of box 12' is a generally triangularly shaped rib member 28' which has an outer contour similar to that of the aperture 18. The rib member 28 has a generally fiat upper rib portion 30' which is substantially parallel to the upper segment 22' and is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the layers of cardboard or material of the container disposed therebetween. The space between the upper rib portion 36' and the upper segment 22' is selected to provide some clamping action to hold the pouring spout 10' to the box 12'. This clamping action is enhanced by the reslience of the folded section 15'. To further enhance the clamping action the upper segment 22' has formed thereon at its rearward extremity a downwardly extending rib 33' (FIGURE 7) whereby the projected distance between the upper rib portion 34) and the upper segment 22 is reduced.

The upper rib portion 39' is connected at one end to a side rib portion 52 which is substantially parallel to the side segment 24 and is spaced therefrom a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the layer or layers of cardboard of the container disposed therebetween to thereby provide an additional clamping action. This clamping action could be enhanced by the disposition of a rib similar to rib 33' at the rearward extremity of the side segment 24'.

The upper rib portion 36' and the side rib portion 52 are connected by a diagonally extending rib portion 54. Disposed at the bottom surface of the diagonal rib portion 54 is an axially rearwardly extending projection 34' which extends downwardly a distance beyond the diagonal edge of the aperture 18 and is spaced from the front segment 2% a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the material of the container 12 in that area. Thus, upon securing the pourins spout It) to the container 12, the projection 34' provides a locking or clamping action; at the same time, the pouring spout 10' is clamped to the container 12' at the top and the side, as previously described.

The opening 26' in the front segment 29 is located within the internal confines of the triangular'ly shaped rib member 28 and 'is in communication with a generally tubularly shaped outwardly and upwardly extending hollow spout portion 36'. A cap 38' is pivotally secured to the top segment 22' via a hingle assembly 30'. The relationship between the spout portion 36, the cap 38' and hinge assembly 40' is similar to that of the spout portion 356, cap 38 and hinge assembly 49, as described in conjunction with the previous embodiment and need not be repeated here in detail.

Some of the distinctions between the pouring spout It) as shown in FIGURES 1 through 4 and the modified pouring spout 10' shown in FIGURES 5 through 7, is that the latter pouring spout 10' is provided with additional clamping surfaces on the side and it is more readily adaptable to be mounted at the corner or at one side of a container while the spout it is adapted to be mounted substantially centrally with respect to one face of the container.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having an aperture in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom,

tainer and having an outer peripheral contour similar to the contour of the aperture, said rib member having an upper rib portion extending substantially parallel to said top segment and spaced from said top segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for clamping said pouring spout at the top portion of the container, said rib member having a lower rib portion having a profile approximating that of the aperture in the front portion of the container in that region, a rearwardly extending projection connected to said lower rib portion and projecting downwardly therefrom to a point beyond the edge of the aperture and being spaced from said front segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, and a generally tubularly shaped hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including cap means having a cap pivotably secured to said top segment and removably disposable on the terminus of said spout portion for closing said spout portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said cap has a recess having a shape substantially congruent to the shape of the terminus of said spout portion and being provided with a slight interference fit whereby the cap is frictionally maintained to said spout portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said cap has cam means disposed thereon for locking said cap in an open position whereby movement of said cap to a preselected open position provides a frictional lock for holding said cap in that open position.

5. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having an aperture having a partially arcuate profile in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom, said pouring spout comprising a planar front segment disposable in overlaying engagement with the front portion of the container and being of a size to completely cover the aperture, a planar top segment connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom in overlaying engagement with the top portion of the container, a planar side segment connected to said front segment and said top segment at one corner, a rib member connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom interiorly of the container and having an outer peripheral contour similar to the contour of the aperture, said rib member having an upper rib portion extending substantially parallel to said top segment and spaced from said top segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for clamping said pouring spout at the top portion of the container, said top segment having a rib portion extending in a direction towards said upper rib portion whereby the clamping action is enhanced, said rib member having a lower rib portion having an arcuate profile approximating that of the aperture in the front portion of the container in that region, a rearwardly extending projection connected to said lower rib portion and projecting downwardly therefrom to a point beyond the edge of the aperture and being spaced from said front segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, a generally tubularly shaped hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom, and cap means having a cap pivotably secured to said top segment and removably disposable on the terminus of said spout portion for closing said spout portion.

6. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having an aperture in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates on one side at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom and which aperture terminates on another side at a side planar portion which is connected to both the front planar portion and the top planar portion, said pouring spout being completely supported upon the container and comprising a planar front segment disposable in overlaying engagement with the front portion of the container and being of a size to completely cover the aperture, a planar top segment connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom in overlaying engagement with the top portion of the container, first clamping means including said top segment for clamping said pouring spout at the top portion of the container, second clamping means including said side segment for clamping said pouring spout at the side portion of the container, locking means including said front segment for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container along the edge of the aperture, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, and a generally tubularly shaped hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said first clamping means includes an upper rib portion attached to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said top segment and spaced from said top segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween and in which said second clamping means includes a side rib portion attached to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said side segment and spaced from said side segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 with at least one of said top segment and said side segment having a rib portion extending in a direction towards a corresponding one of said upper rib portion and said side rib portion, respectively, whereby the clamping action is enhanced.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said locking means includes a diagonal rib portion connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom and having a profile approximating that of the aperture in the front portion of the container in that region, and a rearwardly extending projection connected to said diagonal rib portion and projecting downwardly therefrom to a point beyond the edge of the aperture and being spaced from said front segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween.

10. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having a generally triangularly shaped aperture in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom and which aperture terminates on one side at a side planar portion which is connected to both the front portion and the top portion, said pouring spout comprising a planar front segment disposable in overlaying engagement with the front portion of the container and being of a size to completely cover the aperture, a planar top segment connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom in overlaying engagement with the top portion of the container, a planar side segment connected to said front segment and said top segment at one corner and being disposable in overlaying engagement with the side portion of the container, a generally triangularly shaped rib member connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom interiorly of the container and having an outer peripheral contour similar to the contour of the aperture, said rib member having an upper rib member extending substantially parallelly to said top segment and spaced from said top segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for clamping said pouring spout at the top portion of the container, said rib member having a side rib portion extending substantially parallely to said side segment and spaced from said side segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for clamping said pouring spout at the side portion of the container, at least one of said top segment and said side segment having a rib portion extending in a direction towards a corresponding one of said upper rib portion, respectively, whereby the clamping action is enhanced, said rib member having a diagonal rib portion having a profile approximately that of the aperture in the front portion of the container in that region, a rearwardly extending projection connected to said diagonal rib portion and projecting downwardly therefrom to a point beyond the edge of the aperture and being spaced from said front segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, a generally tubularly shaped hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom, and cap means having a cap pivotally secured to said top segment and removably disposable on the terminus of said spout portion for closing said spout portion.

11. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having an aperture in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom, said pouring spout comprising a planar front segment disposable in overlaying engagement with the front portion of the container and being of a size to completely cover the aperture, a planar top segment connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom in overlaying engagement with the top portion of the container, clamping means including said top segment for clamping said pouring spout at the top portionof the container, said clamping means including an upper rib portion attached to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom substantially parallel to said top segment and spaced from said top segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween, said top segment having a rib portion extending in a direction towards said upper rib portion whereby the clamping action is enhanced, locking means including said front segment for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container along the edge of the aperture, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, and a generally tubularly shaped, hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom.

12. A removable pouring spout for use on a closed container having a plurality of planar portions and having an aperture in a front planar portion to facilitate pouring of the contents of the container which aperture terminates at a top planar portion which is connected to the front portion and extends rearwardly therefrom, said pouring spout comprising a planar front segment disposable in overlaying engagement with the front portion of the container and being of a size to completely cover the aperture, a planar top segment connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom in overlaying engagement with the top portion of the container, clamping means including said top segment for clamping said pouring spout at the top portion of the container, locking means including said front segment for locking said pouring spout to the front portion of the container along the edge of the aperture, said locking means including a lower rib portion connected to said front segment and extending rearwardly therefrom and having a profile approximating that of the aperture in the front portion of the container in that region, and a rearwardly extending projection connected to said lower rib portion and projecting downwardly therefrom to a point beyond the edge of the aperture and being spaced from said front segment a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the material of the container disposed therebetween, said front segment having an opening in communication with the aperture, and a generally tubularly shaped, hollow spout portion connected to said front segment in communication with said opening and extending outwardly and upwardly therefrom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,318,812 Spilo May 11, 1943 2,523,426 Gray Sept. 26, 1950 2,554,007 Brooke -1 May 22, 1951 2,612,765 Gorey Oct. 7, 1952 2,833,318 'Obarski et a1 May 6, 1958 2,906,439 Santuci Sept. 29, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 650,136 Great Britain Feb. 14, 1951 

6. A REMOVABLE POURING SPOUT FOR USE ON A CLOSED CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF PLANAR PORTIONS AND HAVING AN APERTURE IN A FRONT PLANAR PORTION TO FACILITATE POURING OF THE CONTENTS OF THE CONTAINER WHICH APERTURE TERMINATES ON ONE SIDE AT A TOP PLANAR PORTION WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE FRONT PORTION AND EXTENDS REARWARDLY THEREFROM AND WHICH APERTURE TERMINATES ON ANOTHER SIDE AT A SIDE PLANAR PORTION WHICH IS CONNECTED TO BOTH THE FRONT PLANAR PORTION AND THE TOP PLANAR PORTION, SAID POURING SPOUT BEING COMPLETELY SUPPORTED UPON THE CONTAINER AND COMPRISING A PLANAR FRONT SEGMENT DISPOSABLE IN OVERLAYING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FRONT PORTION OF THE CONTAINER AND BEING OF A SIZE TO COMPLETELY COVER THE APERTURE, A PLANAR TOP SEGMENT CONNECTED TO SAID FRONT SEGMENT AND EXTENDING REARWARDLY THEREFROM IN OVERLAYING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE TOP PORTION OF THE CONTAINER, FIRST CLAMPING MEANS INCLUDING 